FORMATION OF VAPOR-GROWN CARBON-FIBERS ON A SUBSTRATE

Vapor-grown carbon fiber (VGCF) is formed on the surface of activated carbon particles, using benzene as the carbon source and thiophene or hydrogen sulfide as the sulfur source. The catalyst used is iron particles generated from Fe(NO3)3 sol or hematite sol. The initial growth stage of VGCF is investigated with high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. The morphology of VGCF is dependent on the sulfur source, and hydrogen sulfide gives finer fibers at a denser population, 10(5)-10(6) mm-2, under optimized conditions. The diameter of VGCF is also affected by the size of catalyst particles when they are lifted off the substrate surface. The longitudinal growth rate of the fiber shows a maximum at 1060-1070-degrees-C.